Valentine - Carol Ann Duffy

This poem is about an onion.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Match these symbols.

• Hope

• Light

• romance

• Brown paper

• ordinary

• Moon

Can you think of another connotation of an onion?

It will blind you with tears

  like a lover.

This technique is a ...

Why has the poet compared a lover to an onion?

• Both of them are rare.

• Both of them smell funny.

• Both of them can make you cry.

• Both of them are ordinary.

It will make your reflection

  a wobbling photo of grief.

In your own words, what is the poet saying about love here?

•Cacophony – Harsh or discordant sounds

“Not a cute card or a kissogram”

What is the effect of this? (More than 1 correct)

(a)   (b)  

• It makes the reader want a Valentine.

• It sounds pretty, like love.

• The speaker is spitting out the words in anger
• The harsh sounds emphasise the negative feelings

•How is ‘love’ being described with these groups of words? What does this diction suggest about some romantic relationships? Try to explain using your own words.

•fierce'; 'possessive'; 'faithful‘ ‘cling’